Postgraduate certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing

Our Certificate in Nursing - NurseMidwife Prescribing will give you the theoretical and practical knowledge to be competent in medication management. This NFQ Level 8 Special Purpose Award complies with the statutory, professional and interdisciplinary framework for the development of expertise in the area of prescriptive authority.The course is first and foremost about making a difference, and has provided the opportunity for nurses and midwives to expand their roles to meet the needs of patients and service users within their area of expertise. The course will also enhance your professional capacity so that services are more patient-focused, thereby delivering better outcomes.The Certificate is a six-month full-time course consisting of 11 days of theory and a practical element of 96 hours achieved through mentorship in the clinical setting. The clinical element of the course is provided in your specific clinical practice area with instruction and supervision from a dedicated medical practitioner who will act as your mentor.

Registration as a nurse or midwife on the live register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).Minimum of 3 years post-registration clinical experience (the required clinical practice experience must have been gained within the past 5 years with at least one year in the area in which prescribing is proposed and excludes time spent undertaking further post-registration programmes).Possession of up-to-date competencies recognised at Level 8 of the NQAI framework.Demonstration of continuous professional development and ability to study at Level 8.Support from employer and completed Site Declaration Form, signed by the Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Public Health.Nomination and confirmation of a designated medical practitioner mentor (completed Site Self-Declaration Form, signed by the Medical Practitioner/Mentor) who will provide the student with supervision, support, and opportunities including shadowing opportunities.The nurse or midwife must contact the Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Public Health to discuss the identified need for nurse and midwife prescribing in their area/organisation. In addition, consideration needs to be given to developing the nurse and midwife prescribing initiative in relation to a number of issues including, legislative and professional practice requirements and standards, clinical governance structures, the scope of practice, clinical competency, mentoring arrangements, multidisciplinary partnership and the individual's ability to undertake the education programme and capability to meet the requirements of the new role and the capacity to drive and develop the new initiative safely.The nurse or midwife must seek the approval of their Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Public Health to apply for the education programme. A nurse or midwife must satisfy the criteria as determined by the Higher Education Institution and the Implementation Group on Nurse/Midwife Prescribing as set out in the entry requirements.